2026/27 UEFA Champions League: Newcomers, Favorites and the Teams to Watch

The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League begins on 8 September with a field that combines established European giants, ambitious challengers and four clubs making their first-ever appearance in the competition. Paris Saint-Germain arrive as the reigning champions after back-to-back titles, while Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern München and Real Madrid sit among the leading contenders. At the other end of the field, Como, LASK, Sabah and Viking are preparing for their historic Champions League debuts.

Four genuine Champions League newcomers

The biggest historical storyline is the arrival of four debutants: Como, LASK, Sabah and Viking. Como have made the fastest rise of the group, reaching Serie A only in 2024 before finishing fourth last season under Cesc Fàbregas. Argentine playmaker Nico Paz has been central to their progress, while former Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah adds Champions League experience to a squad entering the competition for the first time. Austrian champions LASK also reached the league phase through qualifying, overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Celtic with a remarkable 5-1 second-leg win. American striker Samuel Adeniran scored twice in that comeback. Azerbaijan's Sabah arrive after winning the domestic double, with Serbian forward Veljko Simić scoring six goals during Champions League qualifying. Norway's Viking complete the debutant group after winning their first Norwegian title in 34 years, with captain Zlatko Tripić and striker Erik Botheim among their key attacking figures.

Paris Saint-Germain lead the early title race

Paris Saint-Germain enter the campaign as the team to beat after winning the Champions League in both of the previous two seasons. Their achievement gives them a rare opportunity to become the first club since Real Madrid's 2016–2018 run to win three consecutive editions. PSG's opening league-phase match is at home against Slovan Bratislava, while their schedule later includes a heavyweight trip to Manchester City. Current outright markets also place Paris at the head of the betting, ahead of Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern München.

Arsenal are arguably the most intriguing challenger. Mikel Arteta's side won the Premier League last season and reached the 2025/26 Champions League final without losing a match, eventually falling to PSG on penalties. Bukayo Saka remains the attacking leader, while Bruno Guimarães strengthens the midfield. Arsenal begin this campaign away to Napoli, giving the runners-up an immediate high-level test. Barcelona and Bayern München are also among the shortest-priced contenders, while Real Madrid remain impossible to dismiss with 15 European titles and Kylian Mbappé coming off a 15-goal Champions League campaign.

The matches that immediately stand out

The opening matchday already delivers several high-profile fixtures. Real Madrid host Inter in one of the most anticipated games of the opening round, while Liverpool face Atlético de Madrid at Anfield. Arsenal travel to Napoli, Manchester City visit Porto and Barcelona host Feyenoord. Bayern München welcome Bodø/Glimt, while Manchester United begin against debutants Sabah. For the newcomers, the opening round provides a first taste of Champions League football against some of Europe's biggest audiences.

The new league phase changes the calculation

Every club plays eight different opponents, with four matches at home and four away. The 36 teams are divided into four pots and each side receives two opponents from every pot. The top eight teams in the final league table advance directly to the round of 16, while positions 9 to 24 enter the knockout phase play-offs. Teams finishing 25th to 36th are eliminated. With the final league-phase matchday scheduled for 27 January 2027, the battle for position can remain open deep into the winter.

Players and storylines worth following

The 2026/27 Champions League therefore offers two very different betting stories. The established favorites have the quality and experience to compete for the trophy, but the expanded league phase creates more opportunities for surprises. Inter are an especially interesting dark-horse candidate after winning both Serie A and the Coppa Italia last season, while Manchester City, Liverpool and Atlético de Madrid have enough quality to challenge the leading group if their new-season transitions settle quickly. Meanwhile, Como, LASK, Sabah and Viking bring the competition exactly what the expanded format was designed to provide: new clubs, new markets and unfamiliar matchups.